WaterVerge

Is Lamberton, MN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

828 residents served 1 water system PWSID: MN1640003
Overall Score
85.3 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#355 of 466 in Minnesota Top 34% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
85.3/100
waterverge.com
A- 85.3/100

Lamberton, MN — Water Quality Report

Lamberton's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 828 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 8 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Lamberton's water

Lamberton ranks #355 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Lamberton relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Lamberton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
85.3 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.3/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Lamberton, MN water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Lamberton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 828 residents using groundwater (wells).

5
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Lamberton

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lamberton's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.3/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4797). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4442). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Lamberton's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Lamberton's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MRMON
Most recent violations:
Jan 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2018 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2018 Chlorine Resolved
Oct 2011 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 1994 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Redwood County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1997. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4797
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4442
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4390

Where does Lamberton's water come from?

Lamberton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 828 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Lamberton residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Lamberton's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Lamberton's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

8
Total violations
0
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Jan 2021
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

8 Total
5 Active
0 Health-based
3 Resolved
Violations by category
Lead and Copper Rule
4
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Jan 2021 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1993 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Sep 2018
Jul 2018 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2018
Jul 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1991
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Lamberton

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Lamberton, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
HIGHWATER ETHANOL LLC
Chemicals · NA
LAMBERTON, MN56152
1.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Jun 2024
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Redwood County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1997. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jun 2024
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4797
Jun 2019
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4442
Sep 2018
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4390
Jul 2014
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4182
May 2011
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1982
Apr 2010
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1900

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 22.0 ppb from 1994 (22.0 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
828
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Lamberton's water comes from

Groundwater

Lamberton's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 828 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Lamberton

System Name PWSID Population Source
Lamberton MN1640003 828 GW
Regional Comparison

How Lamberton compares

Full Minnesota rankings →

Lamberton's score of 85.3/100 is on par with the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

Lamberton (this city)
85.3
St. Paul
73.3
Rochester
69.7
Minnesota avg
82
City Profile

About Lamberton, MN

Wikipedia →

Lamberton is a town in Redwood County, Minnesota, United States. As of the 2020 census, Lamberton had a population of 792.

Economic Profile
$60,781
Median Income
$83,333
Median Home Value
$563/mo
Median Rent
1.4%
Unemployment
Community
40.2
Median Age
418
People / sq mi
22.7%
College Educated
85.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Lamberton, MN tap water safe to drink?

Lamberton's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #355 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.

What contaminants are in Lamberton's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.

How is Lamberton's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Lamberton?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Lamberton's water come from?

Lamberton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 828 residents.

Is Lamberton's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Lamberton uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 8 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Lamberton's water compare to other cities?

Lamberton ranks #355 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 24% of state cities) and #5406 out of 15744 cities nationally (66th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Lamberton's small water system affect quality?

Lamberton's system serves approximately 828 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 8 violations on record.